Mason’s Story
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Mason’s Story…So Far
Mason Hilke is a typical 15-year-old high school student in the Wake Forest area. He dislikes school work, however, loves the social aspect of school like most teenagers. He loves his music, as all his friends know, and sports like lacrosse and skateboarding. On August 12, 2019 Mason’s mom got the call that every parent dreads. “There’s been an accident. Mason’s been hurt. Bad!” She rushed to the scene of the incident where she found Mason disoriented and combative after a fall off of a skateboard. Mason and his friends had been “skitching” or “skateboard hitching.” This is the act of holding onto a motorized vehicle while skateboarding in order to go faster. Mason had been skateboard hitching while holding onto his friend’s moped. Mason was not wearing a helmet when he fell. Paramedics arrived on scene promptly and made the right decision to take him to the nearest trauma center, a 30-minute ride even with lights and sirens. Mason’s mom was riding in the front passenger seat of the ambulance while his father anxiously drove behind in the family car. During the transport Mason became even more confused and combative. As the ambulance pulled into the Trauma Center, the paramedics had begun CPR. Mason’s heart had stopped. He was rushed into the Emergency Department’s trauma resuscitation area where the professional team worked quickly and efficiently and succeeded in obtaining return of spontaneous circulation, meaning they brought Mason back. This almost never happens in a blunt trauma victim. He was rapidly diagnosed with large epidural hematoma—this is a large collection of blood that grows between the inner surface of the skull and the brain from a torn artery during a major head trauma. This type of brain bleed grows quickly and produces such rapid and drastic symptoms, medical professionals often call this the “Talk and Die Syndrome.” Mason’s epidural brain bleed was big. And getting bigger. And pushing on his brain and brainstem. He was rushed to the operating room for emergency brain surgery. The neurosurgeon, on trauma call that night, performed the brain surgery called “a craniotomy” to release the pressure, drain the blood collecting beneath the skull and relieve the pressure on the brain. He did so with minutes, or perhaps even seconds, to spare.
Mason has had a rocky course since his life saving brain surgery. He did pass the “Wake Test” whereby he awoke and was able to respond to commands. Unfortunately, he was not able to be weaned off the ventilator due to coexisting lung injuries from the fall and is scheduled for a tracheostomy soon. While Mason’s condition is so tenuous his parents have been unable to work and will quickly use all of their accrued vacation pay. The Federal Family Medical Leave Act provides time off with job security, but does not provide for paid time off. While Mason’s medical bills are mounting exponentially the family is grateful that Mason has survived and has awoken after his significant brain trauma.
We have two wishes for those who have read this far. First wish, is if you would please consider donating to Mason's GoFundMe, of which 100% of the proceeds will go to pay for medical bills and family expenses during this most difficult of difficult times. The second wish, is for this tale to serve as a stimulus for you to have a conversation with your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or friends about the importance of wearing a helmet when needed; skating, biking, snow-boarding, mopeding etc. Also, talk to your children, “THINK BEFORE YOU DO”, so many teenagers believe they are invincible, but as adults we need to be vigilant to remind our children to make good decisions on a REGULAR basis.
Mason’s life changed forever, and nearly ended. A simple helmet would likely have dramatically changed this tale. While we do not know what Mason’s future will hold, we are happy that he has a future.
Please consider helping this devastated family.
Mason Hilke is a typical 15-year-old high school student in the Wake Forest area. He dislikes school work, however, loves the social aspect of school like most teenagers. He loves his music, as all his friends know, and sports like lacrosse and skateboarding. On August 12, 2019 Mason’s mom got the call that every parent dreads. “There’s been an accident. Mason’s been hurt. Bad!” She rushed to the scene of the incident where she found Mason disoriented and combative after a fall off of a skateboard. Mason and his friends had been “skitching” or “skateboard hitching.” This is the act of holding onto a motorized vehicle while skateboarding in order to go faster. Mason had been skateboard hitching while holding onto his friend’s moped. Mason was not wearing a helmet when he fell. Paramedics arrived on scene promptly and made the right decision to take him to the nearest trauma center, a 30-minute ride even with lights and sirens. Mason’s mom was riding in the front passenger seat of the ambulance while his father anxiously drove behind in the family car. During the transport Mason became even more confused and combative. As the ambulance pulled into the Trauma Center, the paramedics had begun CPR. Mason’s heart had stopped. He was rushed into the Emergency Department’s trauma resuscitation area where the professional team worked quickly and efficiently and succeeded in obtaining return of spontaneous circulation, meaning they brought Mason back. This almost never happens in a blunt trauma victim. He was rapidly diagnosed with large epidural hematoma—this is a large collection of blood that grows between the inner surface of the skull and the brain from a torn artery during a major head trauma. This type of brain bleed grows quickly and produces such rapid and drastic symptoms, medical professionals often call this the “Talk and Die Syndrome.” Mason’s epidural brain bleed was big. And getting bigger. And pushing on his brain and brainstem. He was rushed to the operating room for emergency brain surgery. The neurosurgeon, on trauma call that night, performed the brain surgery called “a craniotomy” to release the pressure, drain the blood collecting beneath the skull and relieve the pressure on the brain. He did so with minutes, or perhaps even seconds, to spare.
Mason has had a rocky course since his life saving brain surgery. He did pass the “Wake Test” whereby he awoke and was able to respond to commands. Unfortunately, he was not able to be weaned off the ventilator due to coexisting lung injuries from the fall and is scheduled for a tracheostomy soon. While Mason’s condition is so tenuous his parents have been unable to work and will quickly use all of their accrued vacation pay. The Federal Family Medical Leave Act provides time off with job security, but does not provide for paid time off. While Mason’s medical bills are mounting exponentially the family is grateful that Mason has survived and has awoken after his significant brain trauma.
We have two wishes for those who have read this far. First wish, is if you would please consider donating to Mason's GoFundMe, of which 100% of the proceeds will go to pay for medical bills and family expenses during this most difficult of difficult times. The second wish, is for this tale to serve as a stimulus for you to have a conversation with your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or friends about the importance of wearing a helmet when needed; skating, biking, snow-boarding, mopeding etc. Also, talk to your children, “THINK BEFORE YOU DO”, so many teenagers believe they are invincible, but as adults we need to be vigilant to remind our children to make good decisions on a REGULAR basis.
Mason’s life changed forever, and nearly ended. A simple helmet would likely have dramatically changed this tale. While we do not know what Mason’s future will hold, we are happy that he has a future.
Please consider helping this devastated family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kristin Byars
Organizer
Suffolk, VA
Pam Hilke
Beneficiary
